Tag: maryanne mcguire

news + press :: june’s meeting at stone brewing company

Stone Brewing Co. is one of San Diego’s finest beer breweries, yet many do not realize that at the brewery’s main location in Escondido, CA, there is ample indoor and outdoor space for weddings and events!  So, for June’s Weddings of Distinction meeting, the group traveled to North County San Diego and enjoyed a spectacular buffet lunch and beer pairing in one of the brewery’s main meeting rooms.  Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon!

Upon arriving in the space, guests were welcomed by the vocals the group’s newest vocalist, Celeste Barbier.  She is an amazing Jazz/Blues/Retro-style singer and performer.  Her voice is soothing, and her style was the perfect accompaniment to the meeting’s “cocktail” and networking hour!

After some time to talk and tour the grounds, lunch was served, buffet-style. Pairings and tasters were available to those that wanted to day-drink, and for those that had to go back to work, non-alcholic options were available!  We had a guest who spoke to the group about managing money for small business, so besides being social, we also learned something to take with us on our ways.

It was a great afternoon.  We ate; we drank; we networked.  We are thrilled to have Stone Brewing Co. as a member of our group!  Not only does Stone offer delicious craft beer, but for those beer enthusiasts getting married, a wedding at Stone Brewery, whether in Escondido or one of their other San Diego locations, may just be the perfect fit!

Weddings of Distinction_June 2016 Meeting

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news & press :: when wedding vendors party….

…We do it big. It was a celebration to end a truly great year; one in which we rebuilt; we expanded; we also down-sized; but most importantly, we handled and managed details that got us off track in the year or so prior.

Weddings of Distinction is truly a special networking group, and as such, the members are like family, so the holiday season is our favorite time to come together, be silly, eat good food and treats, and just enjoy one another’s company on a personal level.  Yes, we all work together year-round, but our end-of-year holiday party is a time for us to let loose!

What did that mean?  It means we all congregated to Frankie Hartwell’s house, of Hartworks Florals, and everyone brought something, food, drink(s), dessert(s) and more.  We also had a pretty stellar gift exchange, and let’s just say, the alcohol and fuzzy blankets were a major hit!  We also concluded with a killer raffle prize to one lucky member, and the special token?… an iPad!!

We had live musical entertainment; lots, and I mean lots, of food and drink!  People came dressed to the nines, but some also donned funny holiday sweaters, because, well why not!?

A great time overall… The perfect way to end another year, and to lift spirits for the start of a new one!

San Diego Wedding Professionals - 1215Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

news + press :: may’s networking meeting

Each month, our group is lucky to travel and experience some of the best San Diego wedding venues/ wedding food/etc., yet this most recent experience at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe was pretty much mind-blowing.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Rancho Santa Fe, the Inn is small, quaint and classy…the perfect representation for the village it’s located in!  We knew it would be beautiful just based on the location and decor, but what really blew our minds was the meal and spread.  Head chef, Brian Black, coordinated a meal so perfect, not only for the start of the summer season, but so delicious and paired on point with the drinks, the bread, just EVERYTHING!!  Who knew that such a fantastic experience was to be had at a place often overlooked when compared to coastal wedding locations!

Lois Mathews provided the floral centerpieces, and in an atmosphere so romantic and elegant, her choice of flowers fit the scene perfectly.  We dined; we networked; we toured the amazing space. And with a belly full of perfectly-paired courses of food, we left the Inn with an appreciation of this small wedding venue that can, undoubtedly, boast an overall experience truly unparalleled!!
San Diego Wedding Professionals_WOD May 2015

Photos courtesy of McGuire Photography

new + press :: august meeting at paradise point resort + spa

The weather was hot, but it was ok; we were in paradise….or at Paradise Point Resort, anyway!  August’s Weddings of Distinction luncheon took place at the beautiful tropical resort, and with amazing views of the bay and an amazingly delicious summertime meal, this networking meeting did not disappoint.

We heard from a couple of our newer vendors, Greg Shibley of G Sharp Entertainment, and Scott Milnes, Wedding Officiant and relationship counselor.  Both are talented and charismatic speakers, so the stories each shared kept people captive and even had people tearing up at some points!

In addition to the logistical matters that were taken care of, many new ideas were discussed for the group.  Many changes have come in 2014, and with the momentum the group has, many more positive changes are in store.  Weddings of Distinction js not just a group that meets monthly for lunch.  Besides networking and sharing ideas, referrals and lead generation are a focus moving forward.  A lot of great things are coming for Weddings of Distinction members, so stay tuned to be a part of the journey with us!

August2014_WOD_Paradise Point

Photos courtesy of Maryanne McGuire Photo

news + press :: july meeting at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel + Marina

Life is San Diego is pretty spectacular, and when you’re part of a group that takes you to one of the finest wedding venues in San Diego for lunch, life gets that much more spectacular.  For July’s meeting we traveled to the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, located bay front with amazing views of America’s Finest City.

We started the afternoon outdoors, on the Bay View Lawn, with a sunny and warm reception hour with small bites and custom lunchtime cocktails.  The view of the docked boats and the crystal-clear blue skies made everyone’s mood happy.  Then, we moved the luncheon indoors, into the Sheraton’s Harbor Island Ballroom, which still offered stunning views of the harbor with its tall windows throughout.

Our speakers this month: Maryanne McGuire, of McGuire Photography, and Andy Hangenah, of “The Groove,” formerly “Disc-Go-Round DJ.”  Maryanne shared with her start as a wedding photographer, from her beginnings in NY state, to her travels out west.  Andy explained the evolution of his wedding DJ business, and how the re-branding of his company and changing the name to “The Groove” actually came from a client of his!  It was great to gain insight into these two about their starts and to see how they’ve come to where they are today!

Our “Tips-from-the-Pros” series continued this month, and it was the florists in our group, Lois Mathews, Frankie Hartwell, and Dawn Stone, that shared insight into the extent of the work a wedding flower designer can do for a wedding.  Many may not realize that so much more goes into wedding flowers, not just designing bouquets and arrangements!

The meeting ended with a 50/50 raffle and a gracious giveaway from the Sheraton Hotel.  Next month: we travel to Paradise Point Hotel & Spa.  Stay tuned!!

Photos courtesy of E3 Photography

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